Islam Against Extremism Conference 22nd July 2017

Our Salaf: Six Precious Reminders from Al-Hasan Al-Basri

Al Hasan Al-Basri (rahimahullaah) said: ”Admonish the people with your actions and not with your statements.”

Ataa Al-Azraqi said: A man said to Hasan al-Basri: O Abaa Saeed! How are you? He said: ”What is the state of affairs of one who reaches the morning and the evening whilst waiting for death, and he does not know what Allaah will do with him?!

He (rahimahullaah) said: ”If you see a man competing with you in the (affairs) of the worldly life, then compete with him in the (affairs) of the afterlife.”

He (rahimahullaah) said: If the people turned to Allaah when afflicted with something from their (unjust) ruler, it will not be long before Allaah takes him away from them; but they turn towards their swords. By Allaah! They have never brought about good on a single day. Then he recited (the ayah): ”And the fair Word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because of their endurance.”[Al-raaf: Ayah: 137]

He (rahimahullaah) said: The foundations of evil are three and its subsidiary branches are six. The foundations are: Envy, covetousness and love of the worldly life. Its subsidiary branches are: Love of leadership, love of boasting, love of praise, love of filling oneself with food, love of sleep and love of relaxation.

He (rahimahullaah) also said: Whoever loves the worldly life, then fear of the hereafter will depart from his heart.